Treatments For ADD - Drugs and Counselling
Treatment options for ADD include counselling and drugs. It is crucial to test both to determine which one is more efficient.
People with classic ADD are irritable, disorganized and often hyperactive. They suffer from low blood flow in their prefrontal cortex, the basal Ganglia and the thalamus. They also have low levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels tend to increase in response to treatment.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the body's systems. They are available as prescription drugs such as amphetamines, methylphenidates, and diet aids such as Didrex, Bontril, and Fastin. They are also illegally abused and are often mixed with other substances like methcathinone and cocaine. They are available in the form of syrups, pills or liquids, or patches which are applied to the skin.
They increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain's synapses, improving concentration. They also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve working memory. They are the most frequently prescribed medication for people suffering from ADHD. They can cause negative side effects, such as a decreased appetite, trouble sleeping and a rise in blood pressure or heart rate. They can interact with certain medications and medical conditions. It's important to talk with your doctor regarding any concerns.
About 70-80% people who take ADHD medications will notice reduced symptoms. Different people respond in a different way to the medication, and the effects might not last long.
Some people discover that stimulants aren't working well or they don't like the side effects. In this case doctors may prescribe nonstimulant medications. These medications aren't as efficient as stimulants, but they do help improve attention, focus and control of impulses. Doctors often prescribe these medications together with stimulants to increase the effectiveness.
Nonstimulant medicines take longer to effect and don't work as quickly. They affect neurotransmitters differently from stimulants, and they do not increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. Examples include atomoxetine, clonidine and the guanfacine. Drowsiness is the most common side effect. However, drowsiness can be reduced by increasing the dosage or taking them at the time of sleep. The drowsiness should diminish within a few weeks of beginning treatment.
Antidepressants
The majority of antidepressants alter the chemical composition in the brain, called neurotransmitters. The medications are classified according to the way they affect neurotransmitters. Each group contains slightly different medications. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
A doctor may start you on a medication from one of these groups to help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. These medications may not provide immediate relief. It may take several weeks to experience the full benefits. Your doctor and you will decide on the most effective medication for you. They can also add other medications or combine two antidepressants to enhance your treatment. This is called augmentation. The most common augmentation medications are aripiprazole (Abilify) as well as quetiapine (Seroquel) and lithium (Lithobid).
Different antidepressants have distinct side effects. It's important to talk to your doctor about these side effects as some may interfere with your daily activities. These side effects may be mild or severe and can depend on the type of antidepressant that you're taking. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal remedies you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs such as St. John's wort.
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and are known to have less adverse effects than other antidepressants. SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac) and paraxetine (Paxil and Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft).
SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This is why they are considered to be more efficient than SSRIs. Iam Psychiatry have a shorter half-life, and are less likely than SSRIs to interact with other drugs. SNRIs include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Atypical antidepressants are primarily used to boost your energy levels, helping you to feel more awake. They could be helpful for those suffering from insomnia or very severe anxiety. They include bupropion (Wellbutrin Zyban) and mirtazapine (Remeron). These drugs can cause jitteriness, sleepiness or drowsiness. However, they can be beneficial for many people with depression, ADHD and anxiety. These medications are also used to treat bulimia and to assist smokers in quitting.
Cognitive therapy for behavioural problems
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for mental health issues. It is based on the belief that emotions, thoughts and actions are interconnected and can be changed. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented process that helps you discover new strategies to handle stressors and negative habits. It can be used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
The goal of CBT is to transform negative thoughts into positive emotions and behaviors. The technique is a mixture of two different therapies that are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. It's a form of psychotherapy that is often short-term, and it can be done in a private or group setting. You will be taught various techniques by a therapist and then you'll use them in your everyday life. These techniques include learning to recognize negative automatic thoughts and meditative practices; and keeping journals.
A therapist will also help you identify negative thoughts that lead to maladaptive behaviors and then provide strategies to change these assumptions. They'll also teach you problem-solving techniques to help you deal with challenges that arise in your everyday life. CBT therapists will also encourage you to develop SMART goals (specific goals that are measurable, achievable relevant, and time-based) to help you track your progress.
While each kind of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a slightly different approach however, they all concentrate on identifying the underlying thoughts that cause emotional distress and transforming them. The therapists use a variety of techniques, but most are based on the concepts of classical and operant conditioning, which involve associating events with their effects. During treatment you will be rewarded for the accomplishment of tasks. You will also be punished for failing to complete them.
In your initial sessions, you and your therapist will identify problematic behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You might be given homework to help you master the skills. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require up to 6-20 one-onone sessions.
CBT is effective in treating a wide range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic disorders (PTSD). It also works for adult ADHD that affects people as young as seven.
Counseling
Counselling is a kind of psychotherapy that involves regular, scheduled meetings with a therapist to talk about your concerns. The sessions can last up to 50 minutes, and they can be conducted face-to-face, in groups, or over the phone. Counselling can assist people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Counselling can be used to talk about friendship, family, and relationship issues as well as work-related issues.
A counsellor will pay attention to your problems and provide an objective view. They can spot patterns of behavior and suggest ways to alter them. They can teach you strategies for coping and techniques for managing stress, anxiety or depression. They can help you deal with major life changes like divorce or the loss of a loved. They can teach you how to manage chronic illnesses and addictions.
Some counsellors charge for their services, while others are covered by Medicare rebates in the event that you have mental health plans from your doctor.